Alipainevyöhykkeitä

Alipainevyöhykkeitä, often translated as negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), is a medical treatment method used to manage a variety of acute and chronic wounds. It involves applying a controlled, sub-atmospheric pressure to the wound bed using a foam dressing sealed with a transparent film, and connected to a vacuum pump. This creates a sealed environment that draws out excess fluid, known as exudate, from the wound.

The continuous or intermittent suction applied by the device is believed to promote wound healing through several mechanisms. It can help to reduce edema, or swelling, by drawing fluid away from the wound area, which can improve blood flow and oxygenation to the tissues. Furthermore, the negative pressure may stimulate the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) and encourage the growth of granulation tissue, a key component of wound repair. It also helps to stabilize the wound bed and can reduce the size of the wound over time by drawing the wound edges together.

Alipainevyöhykkeitä is typically used for wounds that are difficult to heal, such as pressure ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, and surgical wounds that have dehisced, or opened. It can also be used to manage traumatic wounds and skin grafts. The therapy requires careful patient selection and monitoring by trained healthcare professionals. While generally well-tolerated, potential complications include pain, skin irritation around the wound, and the risk of bleeding if not applied correctly. The specific pressure settings and duration of treatment are tailored to the individual wound and patient.